68 dart small block vs hemi

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71hemigtx

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I am racing the car 340 bored .30 over cars best is 7.38 in the 1/8 , clutchless 4sp trans, rear springs have been moved in three inches. this was done to install a hemi @ some is it worth the effort and money. I was goning to take small block to next level not sure which direction is best. i do my own work. just looking for an opinion from some who has done this already. i like the nostalgia of a hemi race car is it worth it.
 
if you have the money,yes. nothing like the pull of a well preped hemi
 
I know you asked for experienced people to answer.....which I am not.................but from the cool points perspective, the Hemi would rule.
 
it's all about the money i think. what you want to spend. the hemi would definitely require some cash by itself, then all the goodies to get it in your car. it will change your bracket so you will be doing even more stuff to make it legal at the track.

but whatever direction you choose, go for it! :D figure out what you need and get 'er dun. you could even keep racing the 340 for now, and start stockpiling what you need for the switchover
 
its all about how much loot you are wanting to spend .... popping a hood and seeing those giant hemi heads and valve covers is the **** ...not that i know lol
 
airwoofer said:
A healthy race fuel 416 would prolly get the car to 7.0 or better.
Click to expand...

Who needs race fuel...:D...

Unless you are after the "cool" or "WOW" factor of a Hemi, I would build something else. Big or small block, I would bet you would spend just a fraction of the money to get the same power.

FWIW, a guy at my local track has a 1965 (I think) Belvedere with a Hemi...and he usually runs in the high 7's in the 1/8th...my pump gas stroker small block runs runs high 6's in the 1/8th...both are "street" cars.
 
How fast are you wanting to go?
8-9 1/4 mile second zone, go with the HEMI.
10 second zone, go with the small block.
My personal opinion is, if its going to have a HEMI in it, it better run fast!
 
Without a doubt, the Hemi would make your car faster----AND MORE EXPENSIVE! And while your familiarity with smallblocks is a plus, there's something else to consider. The more you modify a smallblock to reach comparable hp figures as a Hemi you're also taxing its reliability more. With today's technology you could get hp numbers close to or the same with a wedge as a Hemi, but again, that's gonna cost.
If it were me, if you always wanted a Hemi, go for it. You won't be happy until you at least try it, if for no other reason than to satisfy your "itch" for one.
 
3rd Gen HEMI and get the best of both worlds.
Light weight of small block stroker,
power of the HEMI you can even make it a 426!
 
I can't imagine an engine with a worse bang for the buck ratio than a Hemi. Even a modest 426 crate hemi is going to run $12k or better. What I could do to a small block for half that would run circles around a hemi.
 
Well you could always compromise and run an modest, big wedge instead. They're easy to maintain/work on, low mantinence compared to both the 340 and the hemi in any given power range. ie: a 440 making 600hp (lets not mention the natural torque this motor is prone to make) is a joke and will be far easier to maintain than a 340 making this amount of power.and will out peform your current 340.. hands down, when one is right.. my 2c
 
Hey guys thanks for the info I appreciate your time amd imput i will try and post a picture of my car. A lot of food for thought thanks
 
The 408/415 SB will just bolt right in, you wont have to change any parts, like trans, headers, etc. And your car will be 250 pound lighter, that extra 250 will also be in the wrong place!
 
Go with a Mopar NASCAR 357 R3/P7, 800hp, dry sump, and the same price as a hemi but with 300 more HP, and much more reliability.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=370618538007&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=27922201664
a9a4a6e0.jpg

Not enough power, stroke it out, need more? Put a turbo on and it will SCREAM.
 
71hemigtx said:
best is 7.38 in the 1/8 , clutchless 4sp trans,
Click to expand...

Am I the only guy who is scratching his head over this apparent oddity ?
Lenco ? Liberty ? Jericho ? G&G ?
7.38 in the 1/8th ?
For the money , I think a small block is a nice choice.
R-3 Block and good heads will make some real steam and live for a long and enjoyable lifetime.
But there is no denying the cool factor of having upside down bath tubs for valve covers.
Weight over the nose is a factor in my thinking too.....I say small block.
BIG small block.
 
thanks for thoughts i am leaning toward small block and also went an looked at an r5 no to long ago
 
Leadfoot said:
I can't imagine an engine with a worse bang for the buck ratio than a Hemi. Even a modest 426 crate hemi is going to run $12k or better. What I could do to a small block for half that would run circles around a hemi.
Click to expand...

..... just stupid but then again I have to consider the source



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwnw3yick3o"]Hemi Barracuda "Extreme Power" - YouTube[/ame]
 
and by the way..... I love small blocks.....
 

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A real Hemi in race form will run you close to 20K by the time you have it all in and running and they are a high RPM piece, A big inch small block would be a lot less expensive. I know since I race both.
 
Concerned about the weight & have some $$$, an aluminum HEMI block will shave off 140 pounds or so. Do have a question to all the folks that say a small block will run with a HEMI, is there any SS style small block cars that will run with the HEMI's? I ask, not be a smart *** but just because I don't know.
 
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